UCFB students have enjoyed a coaching trip to mainland Europe, travelling to Spain to observe the coaching setup at one of the most famous football clubs in the world.
The students travelled with Coaching X Change, and got to see the academy and First Team setup at Atlético de Madrid, looking at philosophy, playing styles and session breakdowns.
This was the first trip Coaching X Change had created, and the students who went were very grateful for the opportunity.
One of the students who attended was Megan Abbott, a BA (Hons) Football Coaching and Management student at UCFB Wembley.
said: “A group of us had attended regular CPD sessions with the coaching lecturers outside of our university hours which were very useful to our studies, hence those that attended were given the opportunity to attend the trip.
“We were so lucky in getting to watch an elite performance environment first hand.
“We observed many sessions throughout the trip - from getting to experience the first team play in an iconic game against Mallorca for their 120th anniversary, to seeing the training facilities for their elite performance teams. We even got to meet Fernando Torres!”
Megan added: “I’ve taken so much away from the trip, especially after the workshops we had with the coaches, in addition to seeing how having a clear identity and pathway at a club is so important for success.
“It’s so important to take as many opportunities that come your way alongside your studies- you never know where it can lead!
“I’ve said yes to an opportunity before, and it’s led me to meet someone who then gave me another opportunity! You never know what path saying yes can take you on, and it will often lead to you meeting new people and networking with other like-minded people in the sporting industry.
“Having the confidence to try something new is so important - it can open doors you didn’t even know existed!
“I can’t recommend UCFB enough! Looking back over the past two years, I’ve had experiences I wouldn’t have even dreamt of after I left college.
“UCFB is definitely the best university at really immersing students into the sporting industry- gaining contacts, creating opportunities and inciting passions in the students.
“The experiences you get here you just don’t get at other universities.”
To find out more about the sports coaching-related undergraduate degrees on offer at UCFB, and the opportunities it can bring, click here.
